Trauma Exposure and Sleep Disturbances

Persons exposed to traumatic experiences at any stage in life can experience a wide array of consequences. One common consequence associated with trauma exposure is sleep-related disturbances. In fact, individuals with a history of trauma are disproportionately likely to suffer sleep disturbances relative to the general population. Regardless of the cause, achieving adequate sleep is imperative to optimal cognitive, mental health, and physical health functioning, especially for individuals impacted by mental health and substance use disorders. Designed for professionals working in mental health and substance abuse treatment settings, this training provides attendees with a working understanding of the definitions, causes, and consequences of trauma and its impact on overall sleep health. With complete diagnostic information, awareness, and understanding of the interrelationship between trauma exposure and sleep disturbances, behavioral health professionals can better develop treatment, intervention, case management, and family education plans to address sleep disturbances in impacted populations. Other relevant topics of interest covered include executive function, adaptive functioning, adverse childhood experiences, attachment, substance use disorders, and mental illness. All aforementioned discussions are grounded in empirical research findings.

Objectives:

This training will provide participants clinical knowledge and tools to:

a). Define trauma and other related terms.

b). Develop a working knowledge of the common causes and consequences associated with sleep disturbances among clients with a history of trauma.

c). Discuss screening options to improve the identification of sleep disturbances among clients with a history of trauma exposure.

d). Learn about intervention and treatment options.

e). Acquire a basic understanding of the existing empirical research on trauma and sleep disturbances.

Target Audience:

Mental health counselors, psychologists, social workers, drug and alcohol counselors, marriage and family therapists, and other clinical mental health professionals.

Instructional Level: Intermediate

Instructor(s): Jerrod Brown, PhD, MA, MS, MS, MS

Material Author(s): Jerrod Brown, PhD, MA, MS, MS, MS

Jerrod Brown, PhD, MA, MS, MS, MS is an Assistant Professor for Concordia University, St. Paul, Minnesota and is the lead developer and program director for the Master of Arts degree in Human Services with an Emphasis in Forensic Behavioral Health. Jerrod has also been employed with Pathways Counseling Center in St. Paul, Minnesota for the past seventeen years. Pathways provides programs and services benefiting individuals impacted by mental illness and addictions. Jerrod is also the founder and CEO of the American Institute for the Advancement of Forensic Studies (AIAFS) and the Editor-in-Chief of Forensic Scholars Today (FST). Jerrod has completed four separate master’s degree programs and holds graduate certificates in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Other Health Disabilities (OHD), and Traumatic-Brain Injuries (TBI). Jerrod is also certified as a Youth Firesetting Prevention/Intervention Specialist, an Anger Resolution Therapist (CART), Thinking for a Change (T4C) Facilitator, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Trainer, an Autism Specialist, Digestive Health Specialist, Gut Health Specialist, Stress and Mindset Coach, Sleep Science Coach, Sex Crimes & Relational Paraphilic Attachments (RPA), Mental Health Integrative Medicine Provider (CMHIMP), and a Problem Gambling treatment provider in the state of Minnesota. In addition to the certifications mentioned above, Jerrod also holds a micro-credential as an Executive Functions Consultant (EFC) and has completed the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), Suicide Alertness for Everyone (safeTALK), and the Mental Health First Aid USA certification training courses. Jerrod has published numerous articles and book chapters, and recently co-edited the book Forensic Mental Health: A Source Guide for Professionals (Brown & Weinkauf, 2018) with Erv Weinkauf. Email: Jerrod01234Brown@live.com

For additional information about this course, the instructors, or the material authors, please contact Content Assistance at content@onlinececredits.com.

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